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Service and Volunteerism Announces $4.6 Million

2018-08-08

Grants Will Support Volunteer Service Across Maryland

The Governor’s Office on Service and Volunteerism today announced that 21 Maryland organizations will receive more than $4.6 million in AmeriCorps grants from the Corporation for National and Community Service for initiatives taking place from August 15, 2018 to August 14, 2019. The grants will provide funding for living stipends for AmeriCorps members – individuals who will commit up to one year of service to support the mission of local organizations and improve Maryland communities.

“Service is a fundamental trait of all Marylanders, and the AmeriCorps program provides a unique opportunity for our citizens to dedicate time and talents to serving our communities,” said Van Brooks, Director of the Office on Service and Volunteerism. “Through funds provided by the Corporation for National and Community Service and generous donors, AmeriCorps members address issues of utmost importance to our state – changing Maryland for the better.”

AmeriCorps members engage in a variety of activities, such as tutoring kindergarten to third-grade students in essential reading skills; conducting mediation between incarcerated individuals and their family; installing building materials for new affordable housing developments; restoring wildlife habitats and trails in state parks; providing naloxone trainings and raising awareness of opiate addiction; and recruiting volunteers to increase the capacity of nonprofit organizations.

“The AmeriCorps program gives individuals the opportunity to serve our communities, while also receiving a stipend to offset the cost of living,” said Brooks. “Nonprofits and local agencies also benefit by having a corps of individuals dedicated to improving our communities.”

In addition to the $4.6 million in grant awards provided by the Office on Service and Volunteerism to the grantee organizations, grantees will also raise $7.5 million in non-federal matching funds generated from other sources. This funding will support various aspects of their program.

Upon completion of their service commitments, over $3.5 million in Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards will be given to AmeriCorps members serving in Maryland. These awards will be used to pay educational costs at eligible post-secondary educational institutions, as well as to repay qualified student loans.